Lace-fastener.



1%. 757,977. 'PATENTEDAPR. 19, 1904.

P. E. STOKE. LACE FASTENBR.

APPLICATION FILED NOV. 21. 1903.

F0 MODEL.

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UNITED STATES Patented April 19, 1904.

FLORA E. STOKE, OF REYNOLDSVILLE, PENNSYLVANIA.

LACE-FASTENER- SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 757,977, dated April 19, 1904.

Application filed November 21, 1903. Serial No. 182,1 11. (No model.)

T at whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, FLORA E. STOKE, a citizen of the United States, residing at Reynoldsville, in the county of Jefferson and State of Pennsylvania, have invented new and useful Improvements in Lace-Fasteners, of which the following is a specification.

My invention relates to new and useful improvements in lace-fasteners for shoes; and its object is to provide a simple device of this character, which can be readily secured in position upon a shoe without interfering with the use of any of the eyelets.

A further object is to provide a lace fastener, all the parts of which are formed in a single piece of metal and which has clasping devices contained therein and which firmly grip the ends of the shoe-lace and hold them against displacement.

With the above and other objects in view the invention consists in providing a fastener comprising a base-plate having a laterally-extending arm at the end of which are parallel plates. Between these plates are arranged inwardly-extending inclined spring-arms, the ends of which contact. These arms, form clamps for engaging and holding the ends of "the shoe lace after they have been inserted between the plates.

The invention also consists in the further novel construction and combination of parts hereinafter more fully described and claimed,

and illustrated in the accompanying drawings, showing the preferred form of my invention, and in which Figure 1 is a front elevation of the fastener in position upon a shoe. Fig. 2 is an enlarged longitudinal section through the fastener, and Fig. 3 is a detail view of the blank fromwhich the fastener is adapted to be shaped.

Referring to the figures by numerals of reference, 1 is a base-plate having apertures 2 therein adapted to register with eyelets 3 formed within the upper of a shoe. This plate is secured to the face of the upper by forcing the eyelets 3 through the apertures 2 and clamping them thereon. An arm 5 extends laterally from one end of the plate 1 and has aplate6 at the end thereof which is connected by means of a neck 7 with a similar plate 8, which may, if desired, be provided with an outer covering 9, of bone, porcelain, or any other similar material, to give it an attractive appearance. Arms 10,0f spring metal, extend in opposite directions from the plates 6 and 8, said arms being similar in size and form. The parts above described are adapted to be cut from a sheet of spring metal, as shown in Fig. 3, and are then bent to bring the neck 7 between and at right angles to the plates 6 and 8. The arms 10 are then bent inward, as shown in Fig. 2, so as to bring their ends normally in contact. After the fastener has been secured to the upper of a shoe in the manner described and with the plates 6 and 8 in position between the adjoining edges of the uppers the shoe-laces can be securely fastened therein by first tying them and then inserting the bow between the arms 10. It Will be seen that this fastener will securely hold the laces in position and will prevent them from becoming loose. It will of course be understood that the ends of the laces can be tied in any suitable manner after they have been inserted into the fastener.

In the foregoing description I have shown the preferred form of my invention; butI do not limit myself thereto, as I am aware that modifications may be made therein without departing from the spirit or sacrificing any of the advantages thereof, and I therefore reserve the right to make such changes as fairly fall within the scope of my invention.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new is A fastener for shoe-laces formed in a single piece of .material and comprising a baseplate, parallel plates connected thereto and integral therewith, and inwardly extending converging spring arms projecting from the parallel plates and normally contacting at their free ends.

In testimony whereof I affix my signature in presence of two witnesses.

- FLORA E. STOKE.

Witnesses:

SMITH M. MoOREIeH'r, MARGARET E. STOKE. 

